10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,179 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Cadillac CTS electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Apr 012020

CTS

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred while the engine was idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM wiring was defective. The wiring was replaced along with the camshaft sensor and ECM. The failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #22

Mar 152018

CTS

  • miles
Evaporating system and lights and electrical

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #21

Feb 072019

CTS

  • 80,350 miles
The engine continues to run even after shutting the car off and removing the key, the engine has just started to accelerate in this position in the last few days. The backup camera has stopped working and the reverse lights are on at all times (even while driving down the road). As of yesterday the power seats to be lagging, some of the buttons takes several tries to work.

- Fryeburg, ME, USA

problem #20

Dec 192017

CTS

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittently the dashboard and interior trim lights are out and will resume at unforeseen times

- Fowlerville, MI, USA

problem #19

Aug 122017

CTS

  • 37,000 miles
Both the heated seat option and seat/mirror memory settings stopped working suddenly.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #18

Aug 162016

CTS

  • 60,000 miles
Air bag light has came on. While vehicle was in motion driving on the highway the passenger rear window came down on it's own and would not roll back up. My car only have 60,000 miles.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #17

Sep 092015

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle staled on the street and the two signs popped up about stability control and traction. Cars had to act quickly so they wouldn't hit me from behind

- Hinesville , GA, USA

problem #16

Sep 062015

CTS

  • 5,000 miles
While attempting to pull out of residential driveway from dead stop, Cts accelerated on its on to and unknown and uncontrollable speed. Causing collision to neighbors vehicle in oppostite driveway driveway directly across from where Cts was parked. Vehicle also had power failures as well, doors nor windows would work. Had to exit vehicle by crawling out on the window. Cause damaged to both vehicles and property damages from neighbor vehicle push by Cts into garage and structure.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #15

Aug 262014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
My 2013 Cts has had a number of prior issues but at this time, I started the car, got into traffic and the vehicle just stopped running. It everything quit. I had no power to steering, brakes, lights. I coasted partway into a parking space I=on the side of the road but did not have enough momentum to fully pull into the space as I was headed up a slight incline. I was stuck with my rear end in traffic and no ability to move. I turned off the car and restarted and it started up. This is not the first issue as about half dozen times the car has refused to engage when I have turned the key. Nothing happens. No battery sound, nothing. I have called onstar several times to get confirmation of issues and they have not been able to detect an issue. I feel my life is at risk as well as others of the public and Cadillac customer service has just told me since there is no proof this happens and they cannot reconstruct it happening they cannot buy back the car. Already the motor fan had to be replaced, it has rolled back 4-5 feet while in drive it has refused to move when in drive, I put it back in neutral, back to drive and the transmission gave a huge clunk and it drove forward. The vehicle locked me in. I could not pull up the locks, could not open with the clicker, would not open with the window down and pulling on the exterior handle. I had to climb out the passenger side door. The car was giving off a raw gas smell when idling in the am. This may have been fixed as it has not done it lately. They must think I have nothing better to do than make up complaints about their product.

- Brattleboro, VT, USA

problem #14

Aug 262014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
I had just filed a complaint on my Cts and thought I should add that it almost stalled out on a steephill with a major intersection, quit after I started it in my drive on a level ground. No stalling sound to give warning. I am sure there is more, but these are the easy ones. Again, Cadillac customer service said it the stopping in traffic only happened once, so not so bad!

- Brattleboro, VT, USA

problem #13

Jul 182014

CTS

  • 8,474 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 2 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle rolled and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was able to restart. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,474.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

problem #12

Sep 162014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
This car on your list shows "recall incomplete" ! this is not correct! recall was corrected by me (owner at home) with the GM kit and I sent the enclosed GM recall signature form to 'recall processing center, po box 909989, milwaukee, wi, 53209, as instructed! form dated Sept. 16, '14. Please check your/ GM Cadillac records!! [xxx], lease /owner information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 102013

CTS

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted immediately but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical systems). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.

- Stone Mountain , GA, USA

problem #10

Jul 282014

CTS

  • 17,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Cadillac Cts. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Sep 302014

CTS

  • miles
Recall campaign number 14V394. Replacement key rings sent to "fix" problem. This does not solve the problem. It makes me aware of the issue, but does not prevent any future owners from attaching extra weight to key ring. How will this prevent future owners from risk of accident ? this is a lame repair.

- Hatboro, PA, USA

problem #8

Jun 042013

CTS

  • 300 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and the contact was able to drive normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign id number: 14V394000 (electrical system). However the parts needed to perform the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300.

- Marcellus , NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 192014

CTS

  • 11,000 miles
I received a set of from tiny keyrings ( GM## 23271934) to place on my rke transmitter to satisfy recall 14V394. Instead of replacing the perhaps defective ignition switch they sent me about a dime's worth of cheap key rings that will keep me from having my house key and other keys normally carried on the key ring. I would have to carry two key rings, one for the car and one for the rest of my keys. I find this unacceptable. If the ignition switch is defective and dangerous it should be replaced.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #6

Sep 172014

CTS

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Cts. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V394000 (electrical system), but believed that the recall remedy was insufficient. The contact stated that the two replacement keys that the manufacturer sent dangled on his knee and the seat adjustment was uncomfortable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Pine Brook, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 182014

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
I received a recall notice on my Cadillac Cts 2013 regarding a defective ignition system, GM's remedy for this potentially deadly defect is two small rings to add to the key ring. They state the problem is the key ring carrying extra weight may unintentionally move the key from the on position which could cause the engine to turn off, driver losing power, and air bags will not deploy. The two small rings they sent to put on the key fob will not prevent this from happening. I cannot believe this is GM's answer to such a serious defect. I read in the paper that they are allocating monetary settlements to people who have lost loved ones because of this ignition failure, so why wouldn't they replace the ignitions so that there is no more chance of loss of life. We are extremely surprised and disappointed that GM is not acting responsibly on behalf of the people who buy their product. We have always supported american made cars, specifically GM. For such a serious problem, 2 small rings to add to a key ring, that will not in any way diminish the weight on a key ring, is a laughable solution, except this is in no way a laughing matter. It could mean the loss of my life, or my loved ones. Hopefully, someone with authority will step up and make this right. Campaign id number for this recall is 14V394.

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #4

Aug 152014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 3,800 miles
My 2013 Cadillac Cts was recalled for unintended rotation of the ignition switch. All that the recall required was to add a second small ring to the key and give me a paper telling me not to attach any thing to the key including the key fob. However, the dealer attached the key fob to the key. They just place the paper on my dash so I didn't read it till I was at home. I called the dealer service department and they said I should remove the fob. Is it acceptable the leave a defective part in a car and just tell you not to add anything to the key ring to try to prevent the problem from occurring?

- Westminster, CA, USA

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